August 2016 Newsletter

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Greetings from Chef Jacques

Summer and the gardens at L’Auberge Chez François are in full bloom. We kicked off August and the new weekend brunch in Jacques’ Brasserie with some twists on brunch favorites, including my favorite Tartes Flambées Benedicts; and a delectable Bloody Mary made with freshly juiced, vine-ripened tomatoes.

All of the tomatoes in our salads are coming directly from the garden; and we never harvest the tomatoes more than a few hours before they arrive on your table. I’ve been asked by several diners about my secret for growing such vigorous plants. Here are two tips: First, mix your coffee grounds into the soil. The coffee grounds add minerals and acidity to the soil, which tomatoes love, and the grounds attract beneficial earth worms to aerate the soil and create nutritious compost. Second, when you first put your seedlings into the ground, put ½ teaspoon of Epsom salts around the base of the plant. The salts also add minerals and discourage fungal growth.

We continue to have a full slate of special events here at L’Auberge Chez François. We are hosting the next installments of the popular Musique et Cuisine, Wine Festival, Fall Frolic Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon, and the second in our series of “L’Auberge Chez François Goes to Virginia Wine Country” off-site field trip. We round out September with a dinner featuring the wines of Kathryn Hall and two fabulous Grand Cru wine tasting and dinners featuring the “Best of Burgundy” with Maison Louis Latour and Maison Louis Jadot. Enjoy the balance of your summer and hope to see you soon!

Until next month,Chef Jacques, Paul, and the team of L’Auberge Chez François

Musique et Cuisine featuring Leina Seikaly

Join us on Friday, September 9th at 7:00pm as we continue our Musique et Cuisine dinner series by welcoming back jazz vocalist and area-native, Lena Seikaly, presenting jazz classics by American and French composers. This intimate musical evening will feature music from the swing era to French gypsy jazz – and much in between – with Lena accompanied by internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist, Steve Herberman. Both performers have three CDs to their credit and have played to sold-out audiences at various local, national and international venues.

Our ever-popular Wine Festival and Luncheon will take place on Saturday, September 10th. Please join us as we sample twelve wines from France (but of course), California, Spain, Washington State and South Africa. A walk-around tasting of these fine wines paired with Chef Jacques’ seasonal canapés will take place from 11:30–1:00pm. Following your tasting, sit down and enjoy a complete luncheon of your choice from our four-course menu, paired with yet another glass of wine. All wines sampled will be available for purchase at a special price.

You are invited to attend the Fall Frolic Cooking Demonstration and Luncheon on Saturday, September 17th at 11:00am. Chef Jacques is still harvesting kale, lettuces, greens, haricots verts, cabbages, herbs and other produce from the garden. The Garden to Table event is a special chance for our chef to create a full menu featuring the fresh items that come from our gardens while enjoying all the added healthful benefits. You’ll find our garden produce proudly featured on our lunch, dinner and happy hour menus at L’Auberge Chez François and Jacques’ Brasserie.

Please join us on Wednesday, September 28th at 6:30pm for “The Wines of Kathryn Hall” wine dinner with Mike Reynolds, HALL Wines Napa Valley’s first winemaker and president. HALL Wines represents critically acclaimed artisan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from two tasting rooms and winery locations in both St. Helena and Rutherford. Owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall, its vineyard collection features five certified organic estates producing classic Bordeaux varietals. This multi-course dinner paired with highly rated wines promises to be a special evening.

On Sunday, September 25th at 5:00pm, Chef Jacques Haeringer and Michel Véniat of Maison Louis Latour are pleased to announce an extraordinary opportunity to taste the Grand Cru wines from one of Burgundy’s most respected houses, Maison Louis Latour. Founded in 1797, M. Louis-Fabrice is the 7th Louis Latour representing the 11th generation of the founding family to run the house. Latour is the only company in the world able to present an offer of twenty plus Grand Cru wines. Our host this evening, Michel Véniat, joined Maison Louis Latour in 1979 as the Commercial Director. He oversaw the rapid expansion of Maison Louis Latour into Ardèche and Var regions where the Latour family became pioneers of producing varietal wines in those two regions. It’s well known by wine critics that Michel is the most “knowledgeable person living today on Burgundy and her wines”. Wines from the event will be available to purchase at a special price.

Please join us at L’Auberge Chez François on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30pm for an extraordinary guided tasting and wine dinner featuring the fine Burgundies of Maison Louis Jadot. Named “one of the handful of firms that are great as well as large…” in Faith and Katz. Jadot continues its heritage of making superior wines in every appellation, from village to grand cru, whether from domain-grown or purchased fruit. To demonstrate Jadot’s quality across a range of styles and terroirs, we have planned a tasting of nine of their best, guided by Antoine Collet, French Brand Specialist with Kobrand, Jadot’s US importers, who will provide us with insight into the wines’ origins. The tasting will be proceeded by a brief reception and followed by a luxuriant dinner, both of which will be accompanied by Jadot wines. All the wines tasted and served over the course of the evening will be available for purchase at a special price.

Please join us on Sunday, September 18th at 9:30am for the second in our series of “L’Auberge Chez François Goes to Virginia Wine Country” excursions. Mais oui, but of course, life is good, sipping and tasting some of the great wines these beautiful Virginia vineyards have to offer on an early fall day. We will be touring Breaux Vineyards and the nearby North Gate Vineyards; before we head back to the restaurant for a special four-course luncheon.

Hugo Ruiz has been a waiter at L’Auberge Chez François since April 2005. We can always count on him to provide exceptional service to our guests. Although quiet and reserved, he is eager to recommend dishes or drinks to our customers. We look forward to having Hugo as part of our family for a long time to come. Merci beaucoup!